Drawn Mochi Volume 3 Chapter 7.2: Honey Trap and Trap Breaking *2

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　Using all of my limited knowledge of this world, I was able to guess that the murals were paintings of a story about a hero who defeated the Demon King. As I recall, I read such a book when I was studying letters.

　The mural is not the only attraction. The massive pillars are made of marble with faint, gentle gray stripes, and there are exquisite carvings on them.

　I gasped when I realized that each pillar had a different carving. Each pillar seemed to have a different creature carved on it. There are dragons, phoenixes. There is also an alicorn… I wonder if there are any Houou or Pipe Foxes on the facade.

　The floor is dark gray marble. The red of the carpet is dazzling. The staircase in the back of the room is elegantly curving and stretching… And I can see people dressed up, probably party guests, going up the staircase. It was also picturesque.

“What do you think, Tougo? Aren’t you glad you came?” (Fay)

“Yes!” (Tougo)

　I had to nod my head. This is amazing. I’m really glad I came!

“Umm, Fay. Before we go to the party venue, can I see that mural a little longer…?” (Tougo)

“Oh! Oh, yeah, yeah! Let’s take our time! Let’s take our time and kill some time.” (Fay)

　Fay seemed to not really want to get into the party hall just in time, which was perfect. I immediately approached the wall to take a look at the mural in the hall.

　The more I looked, the more I realized that the murals were wonderful, but I could not understand what kind of painting method was used!

　At first, I thought they were frescoes, but the wall was plastered with pigments, and as the plaster crystallized over time, the colors became deeper and more vivid.

　However, the wall looks a little transparent for a plaster wall, or perhaps it looks more solid. I think this is different from a fresco painting.

　…Then, the paint looked a little peculiar.

“Hey, Fay. What is this paint?” (Tougo)

“Hmm? Hmmm, sorry. I don’t know. I don’t know much about painting…” (Fay)

　I asked Fay, but he doesn’t really know. However, as far as I can see, I feel like I can feel a faint magical power from the paint.

“But it looks like it has magical power. Does that mean they crushed magic stones and used them as paint? …After all, it’s the Royal Castle, so it’s all about luxury.” (Fay)

　Yeah. This could be magic stone paint.

　…So, this picture, could it be, a picture drawn with magic? I am curious.

　After taking my time to look at the murals, I looked at the carvings on the pillars. I learned a lot about the carving of the dragon’s scales, the softness of the phoenix’s feathers expressed in hard marble, and the way the tail of the alicorn sways, which looks almost like a sculpture. It was amazing. I would like to do sculpture someday.

　I was amazed by the inlay work on the railing as I went up the stairs. And was amazed again by the chandelier that looked like crystal work. When I reached the top of the stairs and was impressed by the patterns woven into the carpet. I was excited again and again before I arrived at the room where the party was to be held.

“Tougo’s eyes have been shining since the moment we arrived, and I’m glad.” (Fay)

“His expression is so different from usual…” (Laocles)

　Both Fay and Laocles accompanied me as I looked around, amused by everything.

　Fay was surprisingly knowledgeable when I asked him what it was (apparently the metal inlaid on the railing earlier was magic ore), and Laocles made sure I didn’t bump into people around me as I was absorbed in the paintings and artwork. A few times he pulled me back. Yeah, I’m sorry.

“Well, I guess we’d better go in. …Well, it was a good time. I didn’t think I’d be able to kill this much time after entering the castle. Good job.” (Fay)

　After I was satisfied, Fay said and smiled.

“Thanks to Tougo, we were able to kill a lot of time. Thanks.” (Fay)

“I’m sorry I took up so much of your time.” (Tougo)

“Oh, it’s fine. That was the purpose. I was studying paintings with our family painter. I’m sure I’ll be able to pass it off as, ‘Well, he’s never been in the royal castle before, and he got very excited.’ That’s a great excuse.” (Fay)

　Yes, it’s a great excuse. If I can be Fay’s excuse, then that’s all the better.

“…So, Tougo. Okay? If I feel troubled, you’ll feel sick, right?” (Fay)

　Yes. …Yes?

“Just be a little quiet and say, ‘I’m not feeling well,’ and pull the hem of my clothes.” (Fay)

　…I see.

“I’ll try.” (Tougo)

“Oh, please do.” (Fay)

　Well, if Fay is having trouble with strange people talking to him, I’ll be ill. I’ll at least do that.

　As soon as we entered the party hall, music filled the air.

　The sounds of what sounded like stringed instruments and flutes overlapped each other to form music, and although I couldn’t distinguish the individual sounds, I could tell that they were all blending to form a single piece of music and the atmosphere of this venue.

　Some people are dancing to the music. Some people were chatting with each other. All of them are dressed up, especially the women in gorgeous dresses. I could see that this was definitely worth a visit.

“I’ll just get a drink and become a wallflower!” (Fay)

“Yes.” (Tougo)

　A little amused by Fay’s positive and negative remarks, I watched him stop the waiter.

　…It was at that time.

“I’m sorry. Can I have one of those too?” (Woman)

　After Fay got his drink, a woman approached the waiter from the side.

　The woman suddenly saw Fay next to her handing the drink to Laocles, and then glanced at me, who was standing next to Fay…

　…Yeah. That’s when her eyes met mine.

　And I had a strange sensation when I looked into her eyes. It was as if a veil had been softly thrown over me.

　The sounds around me faded away, and I couldn’t see much of anything around me. …I could only see one thing.

　I could only see the person who was like a piece of art in front of me… The woman’s black dress was boldly draped over her shoulders.

　The woman’s black dress was boldly designed to show off her shoulders and her curves.

　But there was nothing sexy about it. The reason why it doesn’t look graphic is because she is so beautiful that it doesn’t seem realistic… That it makes you feel as if you are looking at a sculpture or some other work of art. It’s like a model of curvaceous beauty. The design of the dress gives me a sense of the world of Art Nouveau.

　The colors are wonderful, too. Her bright golden hair is long and reaches down to her waist, and it looks great against her black dress. Her fair and smooth face, her smooth nose, and her small chin are beautiful… but most impressive of all are her bright green eyes.

　The green eyes are framed by dark golden lashes and look like a single piece of jewelry. And once you see them, you can’t look away. It was like magic.

　The woman looked at me and blinked once. Then she blinked a few times, glanced to the side… then gently lifted the edge of her lips, which looked like the petals of a pale red rose, and smiled at me.

　…the work of art laughed.

　To my surprise, the woman accepted a glass of drink from the waiter, thanked him, and gracefully left.

“Hey, Tougo. What’s wrong? Look, let’s go to the wall.” (Fay)

“Yes…” (Tougo)

　I was called out to by Fay, but my head didn’t work immediately.

　Fay looked at me, stared at me, and then traced my line of sight… and then.

“Oh…?” (Fay)

　He smiled.

“Oh? What’s the matter, Tougo? Are you looking at that lady? Don’t tell me it’s love at first sight?” (Fay)

　I nodded as I moved along with Fay, who was asking me in a very happy manner…

“Yeah… maybe.” (Tougo)

“Oh! Tougo! Tougo fell in love at first sight! I see, you’re interested in women too! That’s good, isn’t it? That’s great!” (Fay)

　Fay says this happily in a hushed voice, looking at me and at the woman who has already disappeared into the crowd.

“I only glanced at her, but you remember her face, right? Then let’s find her and talk to her! It’s a great opportunity, we have to move!” (Fay)

　I felt my heart beating a little louder than usual as I listened to Fay’s words, which for some reason were more excited than mine, and I reexamined my feelings again and thought… Sure, that’s what I’m feeling.

“Yeah. It’s love at first sight… just like when I found Laocles.” (Tougo)

“…Hey. Wait. You just said something I shouldn’t have heard, right?” (Laocles)

　I was feeling a bit pensive, and Laocles was looking at me with a strange impatience.

“Tougo. You did something like this. I feel like I’ve heard something I shouldn’t ignore.” (Fay)

　Furthermore, Fay, with a strange sense of impatience, stared straight into my eyes.

“Hey. Wait Tougo. You, you… did you fall in love with Laocles at first sight?” (Fay)

“…Yeah. Probably, I think so.” (Tougo)

　I didn’t know what love at first sight meant until now, but now that you mention it, I understand.

　This feeling is “love at first sight”.

“I want to paint her.” (Tougo)

“That’s right! Love at first sight! Is that what you mean by love at first sight?! I see! Damn, I was convinced!” (Fay)

“Should I be relieved about this? Should I be relieved or worried about this…?” (Laocles)

“I thought that Tougo was also interested in women! I was so happy, you know?! I thought because it was you, you would surely go down a heartwarming romantic road to true love! I was so excited. Hey!” (Fay)

“Yeah, I’m excited too.” (Tougo)

“I see! Excited! In other words, you’re excited to draw her, right!?” (Fay)

“Yes. I want to draw her.” (Tougo)

　I’m excited, too. I’m very excited. I fell in love at first sight.

　…Yes. I really want to draw that person.